Mightyjoecastro.com

Post #1075 – Grip

// February 14th, 2012 // 1 Comment » // paintings

Finished a new painting – this one’s entitled “grip”.  It’s 24″ x 12″, oil on canvas.  February 2012.

Post #1069 – new Switch skate shop decks

// November 15th, 2011 // No Comments » // paintings, skateboarding

I was super stoked when the  guys at Switch skate shop contacted me about doing a painting for a shop board graphic.  I go way back with co-owner Joey Simpers  - we grew up skating together in the late 80′s, and continued to stay in touch as our paths crossed over the years in the DE music scene (some may remember Joey as the dreadlocked bass player in Walleye, one of my favorites back in their heyday).  Although I slowed down on skating shortly before they opened, I’ve always dug Switch and what they’ve done for the local skate scene. And my old band, Obese Pharaohs of Funk, which later became Nero, was featured on the Switchstance music compliation that the shop put out back in 1994, so there’s some history there for sure.   Anyway, the decks are available 8″, 8.125″, 8.25″ as well as a really cool old school shape so grab one before the holiday shopping rush hits.  You can pick one up at their new location, 54 East Main Street, Newark Delaware.  And be sure to stop by Rainbow Records around back and grab some new and used vinyl. That’s a win-win set-up right there.

Thanks again to Tyler and Joey for making this happen.

Post #1056 – Live from London, Science Skateboards

// August 10th, 2011 // 1 Comment » // paintings, skateboarding

Super honored and stoked to announce that Science Skateboards in the UK just released my first ever skateboard graphic as part of their latest series. The idea for the deck came together after talking with Chris Morgan about some of his favorite graphics, including this 1992 James Kelch board on Real - he also mentioned that he dug my painting Mt Cook Avenue Reflections, so we decided to try a cross between the two. I think it came out pretty cool.  The original painting, entitled  Mount Cook Avenue Reflection #2, is oil on canvas, 24″ x 48″.

Definitely a dream come true, I’ve wanted to design a board graphic ever since I was a young teen, eagerly flipping through the pages of Thrasher and soaking in artwork from Gonz, Neil Blender, Andy Howell, Ed Templeton and Chris Miller (and years later, guys like Evan Hecox, Don Pendleton and Andy Jenkins, among others). Plus, as a music fan who has a heavy  love and obsession for the Manchester scene and British music in general (The Smiths, Stone Roses, Happy Mondays, The Clash, Stones, Kinks, Sabbath, Suede – the list goes on and on), it just seems fitting that my first board should come out of the UK. Like I said, a dream come true and a real honor. Thanks to Chris at Science for making this happen. Nice one!

Unfortunately for those of us states side, these decks will only be available in shops overseas – but I will have a very limited number for sale on this site – in our brand new webstore – which should be live in the next few weeks.  Stay tuned.

Post #1053 – Friday Morning

// July 22nd, 2011 // No Comments » // art, paintings

I recently finished a new painting, entitled Friday Morning.  This one is oil paint on board and measures 16″ x 16″. Purchasing inquiries, please contact me at mightyjoecastro@gmail.com

Post #1044 – Maya

// May 2nd, 2011 // No Comments » // art, paintings

Recently finished a new painting – entitled Maya - a tribute to avant garde film maker Maya Deren. Oil on board. 18″ x 24″, complete April 2011. Available for purchase – shoot me an email if you are interested.

Post #995 – Time is running out…

// August 13th, 2010 // No Comments » // art shows, events, paintings, skateboarding

Just a quick reminder – this Sunday, August 15 is the last day for the We Are Contributors online art auction.  So, if you’re interested in getting a custom piece of skateboard art from myself, Don Pendleton, Tony Larson, Todd Francis, Porous Walker, Amber B or any of the other amazing artists involved in this project, get on that pronto.  And, as mentioned before, proceeds will go toward giving free skateboards to lower income families in Canada, so it’s money well spent. And $150 for a one of a kind skate deck is really not that bad.

Also, below is a sneak preview of the Vans that I customized for the Vans/Color Magazine/ Society6 collaboration project.  I am very honored to be one of 9 artists from a group of 440 applicants to be selected for participation, so I am very, very stoked. The shoes will be part of a show that will make it’s way from Vancouver to Toronto to Montreal – wish I could join them on their journey but, unfortunately, plane tickets aren’t free so I’m stuck at home. Not sure where they’ll end up after that, but I will let you know.  More info and photos to come down the road.

And, as part of the collaboration, I put together a special, limited edtion collage print that will only be available for purchase via Society6  - it’s entitled The Most Polite Restraint and is available for purchase here.  The image is also available on T-shirts and iPod skins, so feel free to coordinate your tech wuth your outfit if that’s how you roll.  It’s your world, homeboy, I’m just (thankfully) in it..

Post #989 – The Dawn or My Appeal

// July 15th, 2010 // 1 Comment » // art, paintings

I finished another new painting recently, for my October show at the Slingluff Gallery in Philadelphia this October. This one’s called The Dawn Or My Appeal and is 16″ x 8″, oil on canvas. Click the thumbnail for the bigger picture.

Post #965 – Montana Skatepark art auction

// April 23rd, 2010 // No Comments » // paintings, skateboarding

I recently donated a custom painted skate deck to the Montana Skatepark Association’s 5th Annual On Deck benefit art auction.  The MSA has been raising money and building skateparks for the kids in Montana since 2000 and they’re a great organization.  The auction just went live this morning and I must say I was pretty blown away by some of the boards – especially by Adam Haynes’ piece, which is amazing. Anyway, click here to view the image gallery and to make a bid to help out the cause. The online bidding ends at 3:00 pm on May 7th and I believe all pieces start at $75, which is a steal. And for more information on the MSA, click here.

The painting I did is titled Respect, and it’s oil paint on board and was painted in February 2010.

Post #963 – The Migrant Living In Your Ear

// April 21st, 2010 // No Comments » // paintings

Been working on a bunch of new paintings & getting prepared for my solo show at the Slingluff Gallery this October, and recently finished this one – it’s called The Migrant Living In Your Ear (Christopher).  It’s oil on canvas, 44″ wide by 30″ high.  For those who don’t know, it’s a tribute to my friend and band mate, Christopher Tucker, who passed away in 2008. Rest in peace my friend – I hope I did you justice.

Post #939 – Mt. Cook Avenue Reflections

// February 24th, 2010 // No Comments » // paintings

I just finished a new painting for my October solo show at the Slingluff Gallery – it’s entitled “Mt. Cook Avenue Reflections”. Oil on board.  20″ x 24″